Hydrogen production on Ni loaded apatite synthesized by dissolution-precipitation of Moroccan natural phosphate

A powder oxide with composition analogous to the apatite phosphate, was synthesized by dissolution and precipitation of Moroccan natural phosphate, then used as carrier for deposition of different amount of nickel. The support and the resulting catalysts were characterized by several techniques. XRD characterization showed that the support has the crystalline structure typical of apatite oxides. According with the chemical analysis, the composition is closed to the fluoroapatite where fluoride is partially substituted by hydroxide. After impregnation of Ni a portion of Ni²⁺ ions was exchanged with Ca²⁺ ions, as confirmed by UV-visible-NIR analysis. The so prepared catalysts were tested in the dry of methane without performing any reduction pre-treatment except the exposure to the reaction mixture. High catalytic activity at 700 °C and good stability in the production of hydrogen were found for such Ni loaded catalysts suggesting a good resistance to coke poisoning according to the basic nature of the support.